NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Protected green and loggerhead turtles are making a big comeback on the beaches of two British military bases in Cyprus, with the number of nests surpassing last year’s record count by nearly 25%, environmentalists said Tuesday.
There were 382 sea turtle nests recorded this year on all sandy beaches inside the bases — 100 more than last year’s count.
Bases Environmental and Police Officer Alexia Perdiou said a decadeslong commitment by base authorities to safeguard nests is paying off, given that an average of only 30 turtle nests were discovered each year on the base beaches between 1994 and 2011.
The turnaround is remarkable given that only one in 1,000 turtle hatchlings makes it to adulthood.
“The steep increase in turtle nests has been the result of a consistent, systematic ‘hands-off’ approach, together with enforcement efforts to minimize illegal, damaging activities on nesting beaches,” Perdiou said.
Contributing to the nest increase, she said, is the fact that most sandy beaches inside the bases are free from development, while daily patrols by volunteers ensure that aluminum cages set atop the nests remain in place to protect the turtles from predators like foxes and dogs.
Human activity on the beaches, including the driving of vehicles, parties with barbeques or powerful lighting is punishable by up to 17,000 euros ($19,000) in fines or three years in prison.
Perdiou said despite the success, authorities won’t let up in their conservation efforts in partnerships with the Cypriot government, local authorities and volunteers.
Britain retained two military bases along Cyprus’ southern coast after the east Mediterranean island gained independence from colonial rule in 1960. They are home to one of the Royal Air Force's busiest and most complex airfields, and host important communications equipment.
Base authorities said it’s likely that investments of over 1 billion pounds ($1.3 billion) will be made in the bases over the next decade.
This image provided by the British Bases Media and Communications Office on Tuesday, Sept, 17, 2024, shows a turtle in the sea, by Akrotiri, British base area near the coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus. (British Bases Media and Communications Office via AP)
This image provided by the British Bases Media and Communications Office on Tuesday, Sept, 17, 2024, shows a turtle on the beach, by the Akrotiri British base area, near the coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus. (British Bases Media and Communications Office via AP)
This image provided by the British Bases Media and Communications Office on Tuesday, Sept, 17, 2024, shows the area of a turtle nest on the beach by the Akrotiri British base area, near the coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus. (British Bases Media and Communications Office via AP)
CLEVELAND (AP) — Brayan Rocchio singled in Andrés Giménez with the winning run as the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians scored three times in the 10th inning to beat the Minnesota Twins 5-4 on Wednesday night, reducing their magic number for clinching a playoff berth to one.
Kyle Manzardo and Will Brennan had RBI singles off Ronny Henriquez (1-1) before Michael Tonkin entered and gave up Rocchio’s second career walk-off hit, a chopper to right through a drawn-in infield.
Josh Naylor hit a pair of solo homers and scored three times for Cleveland, which leads the division by 5 1/2 games over Kansas City. Naylor’s first shot was a 445-foot rocket to right-center, giving him his first 30-homer season.
Carlos Correa had a two-run single off Hunter Gaddis (5-3) that gave the Twins a 4-2 lead in the top of the 10th. Correa finished with four RBIs and extended his hitting streak to 16 games, matching his career high with Houston in 2019.
Minnesota entered the night with a 1 1/2-game lead over Detroit for the final AL wild-card position.
Twins right-hander Bailey Ober struck out a career-high 12 over seven innings, but remained winless in seven starts since Aug. 9. He allowed two runs without issuing a walk.
Guardians starter Tanner Bibee worked 6 2/3 innings and gave up two runs. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.82 ERA in four games against Minnesota this season.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Twins: OF Trevor Larnach (hamstring), who has a career-high 15 homers, served as the designated hitter for his sixth game in a row. Manager Rocco Baldelli said Larnach should return to his regular spot in left field before the start of the postseason.
Guardians: RHP Alex Cobb (right third finger blister), who is eligible to come off the injured list on Sept. 24, will determine whether he throws a simulated game or makes a start for Triple-A Columbus. “Really, Alex is driving the bus on this,” manager Stephen Vogt said.
UP NEXT
Twins RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (5-5, 4.08 ERA) faces Guardians LHP Joey Cantillo (2-3, 4.99 ERA) in the four-game series finale.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee tosses to first base to get out Minnesota Twins' Christian Vazquez during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor catches a fly by hit by Minnesota Twins' Jose Miranda during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio misplays the ball hit by Minnesota Twins' Carlos Correa during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Minnesota Twins' Carlos Correa hits into a fielders choice during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (28) delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa hits an RBI single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. Willi Castro scored on the play.(AP Photo/David Dermer)
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez flips the ball to shortstop Brayan Rocchio to get out Minnesota Twins' Carlos Correa during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
